Pages

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

A few pictures from yesterday's fair including a giant one of me wittering. I am not being intentionally egotistical with the massive look at me pic but blogger seem to have changed the image rules and I can't fathom out how to resize!

The other pics are much more interesting though showing some drop spindle spinning, spinning wheel at work and just some of the many gorgeous knitted items on show. Anybody out there fancy teaching me how to do fancy lacy knitting? You can tell it would be a tough job; I don't even know what it's called!

We'll be back at the November Wool Festival on November 6th, see you there!

Thursday, 26 August 2010

Since moving up to this most wonderful part of the world which daily brings us visions of joy (yesterday was a little deer scampering across the lane and evening sunshine mistiness on the walk to the shop and an epic moonrise on the way back) I have been working hard on learning silversmith techniques.

My first triumph was a short length of rather delicate and unfinished chain which excited me as it was my first exploration into soldering and hand forging chain links. It was pretty rubbish! Ha! I've stuck at it and this morning I finished a piece which I started on Sunday with some sterling wire, solder, sea glass and tools.

Using 1.5mm sterling silver wire I created chunky, organically shaped links and a toggle clasp, gave the chain a lightly hammered texture before wire wrapping some aqua sea glass droplets on alternate links. I am pleased with how this charm bracelet has turned out and have already drilled some double sided blue and white sea pottery for the next one, although I will have to wait until my thumbs have recovered from the slightly too enthusiastic hammering and filing!

This bracelet will first be on display for sale at the St. Abbs Wool Festival on Monday 30th August.

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

I made the back plate of this piece with silver clay and gave it a rough texture to echo the swirls and eddies of rook pools. After firing I used liver of sulphur to create a lovely dark patina then brought up the silver high points with sand paper and polishing cloths.

There is a space in the backplate for light to shine through the beautiful blue sea glass and this necklace is now available on lauracameron.co.uk.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Yesterday I ran a workshop on making wire wrapped loop charms to make earrings, necklaces or bracelets. It was part of the Arts and Crafts Taster Week being held by, and raising money for, Palace Green Pavilion in Berwick upon Tweed.

There are workshops and demonstrations being held there every day this week by local artists, so if you are in the area check it out!

There were a super group of ladies in attendance who created some beautiful earrings and charm bracelets during the morning. To those of you who were going to finish of pieces at home I'd love to see the finished results! Please send photos to laurajcameron@btinternet.com

Thanks!

I'll be back at the Pavilion on Friday demonstrating something jewellery related and there will be a small selection of my work available there all week.

Friday, 13 August 2010

I've been somewhat missing from the internet due to the doom of a failed hard drive. I hadn't done a full back up since the end of April just before we moved but fortunately as the drive was crawling to it's final resting place I was able to save a few essentials; mainly my accounts, tax return and some new photos. Thank goodness I didn't lose too much and that my tech savvy brother was able to guide me to purchasing and installing a new hard drive. I only had to phone him four times, yay me!

Nobody wants to lose their fave silly photos!

So I'm back with a streamlined computer and here to remind you to back up your files right now! Think of those photographs of your beloveds, the hours you've spent on your online shop photographs not to mention the weeks you have spent on your accounts. Hear me now! Back up!

Friday, 6 August 2010

Starting on Monday the 16th August Palace Green Pavilion, Berwick upon Tweed will be hosting an Arts and Crafts Taster week. During the week there will be workshops and demonstrations in jewellery making, embroidery techniques, drawing, silk paper making, stained glass, pottery, felt making, painting and more! There are workshops for both adults and children and if you are in the area I highly recommend a visit! For further information click on the flier pictures to go to the Pavilion'sfacebook group page.

I'll be there on Monday taking the bead and wire jewellery making workshop where we will be learning how to create wrapped loop charms to create something like this:Then on Friday I'll be there demonstrating some jewellery making, that is if I can tear myself away from looking at what everybody else is making!

Tuesday, 3 August 2010

My lovely university friend is visiting for a few days so I am having a wee little break to have fun with her. It is fabulous to see her again, you know what it is like when university ends people move hundreds of miles apart and two years pass between getting together. Thank goodness for facebook!We've been adventuring around and spent much of yesterday on Holy Island where this cheeky little chap came to see what we'd left from our cream tea!

Fun times, however I do have bad news. Unfortunately it appears that having turned 29 I am no longer able to do a satisfactory cartwheel. The shame.Bamburgh beach is just massively beautiful and again I must say it; I love living here!